Research Paper Led by Doctoral Student in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering was Selected as One of the Editor’s Choice Articles
A research paper led by Desalew Fentie, a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering, was selected as one of the Editor’s Choice Articles for the first half of 2025 in Agronomy journal.
The paper is titled ”Optimizing Cropping Systems Using Biochar for Wheat Production Across Contrasting Seasons in Ethiopian Highland Agroecology.”
“Editor's Choice Articles” are selected by the journal’s editorial office as particularly noteworthy among published papers.
In Ethiopia, soil acidification and water shortage are major constraints on wheat cultivation. This research investigated the potential of biochar derived from water hyacinth, an invasive species, to enhance both the productivity and economic performance of wheat cultivation. The study revealed that the combination of biochar and fertilizer derived from water hyacinth can optimize wheat yield seasonally and maintain high effectiveness under dry-season water stress. The result of the research contributes to utilize water hyacinth and offer a model for implementing sustainable agriculture by converting agricultural waste into valuable resources.
Part of this research was conducted under the SATREPS-EARTH project.
Authors: Desalew Fentie (SU/ IU), Fekremariam Asargew Mihretie (CSIRO), Yudai KOHIRA (SU), Solomon Addisu Legesse (BDU), Mekuanint Lewoyehu (SU), Tassapak Wutisirirattanachai (SU), Shinjiro SATO (SU)
*“Agronomy” is an international academic journal which covers a wide range of research in agriculture, soil science, and crop science. The percentile in the field of Agronomy and Crop Science in Scopus is 84%. The journal was launched in 2011 and is published by MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute).